Dispensing system with material level detector

ABSTRACT

A dispensing system comprises a first electronic sensor and a controller. The first electronic sensor may be configured to detect a first change from a first amount of a fluid product in a dispensing system reservoir to a second amount of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir. The controller may be coupled to the first electronic sensor and configured to receive a first signal from the first electronic sensor indicative of the first change. The dispensing system reservoir may be disposed in the dispensing system. A method for determining a remaining service interval for a dispensing system reservoir is also provided.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a divisional of Ser. No.14/620,149, filed on Feb. 11, 2015 and titled “DISPENSING SYSTEM WITHMATERIAL LEVEL DETECTOR,” which claims priority to and is anon-provisional of U.S. Provisional Application 61/938,643, titled“DISPENSER WITH MATERIAL LEVEL DETECTOR” and filed on Feb. 11, 2014,both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The instant application relates to the field of dispensing systems anddispensing indication systems. More particularly, the applicationrelates to methods and devices for inventory control and efficient routeplanning for the supply and maintenance of dispensing systems. Morespecifically, the application relates to monitoring devices and methodsfor indicating whether a fluid product in a dispensing system requiresor will require replacement.

BACKGROUND

A dispensing system may store and selectively dispense a fluid product(e.g., soap, hand sanitizer, cleaners, disinfectants, moisturizersetc.). As such, dispensing systems are commonly used in a number ofdifferent environments to improve sanitation and cleanliness, forexample. Dispensing systems may be used, for example, in schools,hospitals, factories, restaurants, airports, banks, grocery stores,etc., whereupon a user of the dispensing system may clean his/her hands,clean an area within one of these environments, and/or the like.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key factors oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In an example, a dispensing system comprises a first electronic sensorand a controller. The first electronic sensor is configured to detect afirst change from a first amount of a fluid product in a dispensingsystem reservoir to a second amount of the fluid product in thedispensing system reservoir. The controller is coupled to the firstelectronic sensor and is configured to receive a first signal from thefirst electronic sensor indicative of the first change.

In an example, a dispensing system comprises a first electronic sensor,a second electronic sensor, and a controller. The first electronicsensor is configured to detect a first change from a first amount of afluid product in a dispensing system reservoir to a second amount of thefluid product in the dispensing system reservoir. The second electronicsensor is configured to detect a second change from the first amount ofthe fluid product to a third amount of the fluid product. The controlleris coupled to the first electronic sensor and the second electronicsensor and is configured to receive at least one of a first signal fromthe first electronic sensor indicative of the first change or a secondsignal from the second electronic sensor indicative of the secondchange.

In another example, a method of determining a remaining service intervalof a dispensing system reservoir comprises determining an average usagerate for a dispensing system by monitoring a number of dispersions overa period of time. The method also comprises detecting a real time amountof fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir by detecting a firstchange from a first amount of fluid product in the dispensing systemreservoir to a second amount of the fluid product in the dispensingsystem reservoir. The method also comprises determining the remainingservice interval of the dispensing system reservoir based upon theaverage usage rate and the real time amount of the fluid product in thedispensing system reservoir.

The following description and annexed drawings set forth certainillustrative aspects and implementations. These are indicative of but afew of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed.Other aspects, advantages, and/or novel features of the disclosure willbecome apparent from the following detailed description when consideredin conjunction with the annexed drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example of a dispensing system accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example of a cross sectional view of afixture of the dispensing system according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example of a cross sectional view of thefixture of the dispensing system shown in FIG. 2 attached to a refillunit, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example of a schematic representation ofthe dispensing system showing the weighing system and dispensing systemreservoir, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example of a front elevation view of thedispensing system reservoir and schematic representation of the controlsystem, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example of a cross sectional view of thefixture of the dispensing system showing the mechanical indicatingsystem, according to the embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an example of a dispensing system accordingto some embodiments, where an electronic sensor comprises a switchcompressed based upon a weight of fluid product in a dispensing systemreservoir.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an example of a dispensing system accordingto some embodiments, where an electronic sensor comprises a switch thatis not compressed based upon a weight of fluid product in a dispensingsystem reservoir.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of an example wireless connection between adispensing system and a computer according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an example electronic sensor according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 11A is an illustration of an example electronic sensor according tosome embodiments, where the electronic sensor comprises switch in an OFFstate.

FIG. 11B is an illustration of an example switch according to someembodiments, where the electronic sensor comprises a switch in an ONstate.

FIG. 12A is an illustration of an example of a dispensing systemaccording to some embodiments, where the dispensing system comprises twoelectronic sensors mounted on a housing member.

FIG. 12B is an illustration of an example of a dispensing systemaccording to some embodiments, where the dispensing system comprises twoelectronic sensors mounted on opposing sides of a controller.

FIG. 12C is an illustration of an example of a dispensing systemaccording to some embodiments, where the dispensing system comprises amovable mount configured to pivot about a pivot point.

FIG. 12D is an illustration of an example of a dispensing systemaccording to some embodiments, where the dispensing system comprises oneor more electronic sensors comprising an electroactive polymer fluidproduct.

FIG. 12E is an illustration of an example of a dispensing systemaccording to some embodiments, where the dispensing system comprisesfour electronic sensors mounted to a controller.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of an example method for determining aremaining service interval according to some embodiments.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of an example method for determining aremaining service interval according to some embodiments.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of an exemplary computing device-readablemedium wherein processor-executable instructions configured to embodyone or more of the provisions set forth herein may be comprisedaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary computing environment wherein one ormore of the provisions set forth herein may be implemented according tosome embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally used to refer tolike elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providean understanding of the claimed subject matter. It is evident, however,that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, structures and devices are illustrated inblock diagram form in order to facilitate describing the claimed subjectmatter.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example 11 of a dispensing system 10 fordispensing a material, such as a fluid product. The dispensing system 10may be configured to dispense a measured and/or predetermined amount ofthe fluid product to a user. In an example, the fluid product maycomprise a hand care product such as soap, lotion, hand sanitizer,and/or other suitable types of liquid and/or foam products that may besimilarly dispensed from the dispensing system 10.

As illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3, the dispensing system 10 may comprise afixture 14 (e.g., a rigid fixture, such as a faucet) having a nozzle 16,such as for dispensing fluid products, received in an end 17 of thefixture 14. In an example, the fixture 14 may be constructed from impactresistance plastic and/or corrosion resistant metal. The fixture 14 maybe mounted to a supporting structure 12, such as a countertop, and/orpositioned adjacent a water source, such as sink 15 (illustrated in FIG.1). In another example, the fixture 14 may be mounted to other types ofsupporting structures, such as a wall, a dispenser stand, a mirror, acabinet (e.g., under cabinets, sinks, etc.), etc. The fixture 14 mayhave a faucet-like configuration including a base 19 for mounting thefixture 14 to the supporting structure 12. The fixture 14 may comprisean outwardly extending cantilevered arm 22. The nozzle 16 may bepositioned at the end 17 of the outwardly extending cantilevered arm 22.Conduits, such as a first conduit 27 a and/or a second conduit 27 b, maybe fluidly connected to a source of the fluid product, such as adispensing system reservoir 60 (illustrated in FIG. 4).

In an example, the fixture 14 may be at least partially hollow. Thefixture 14 may comprise one or more generally concave parts thatfastened together to form a fixture assembly. For example, one or moreof the concave parts may be affixed together utilizing fasteners,epoxies, welds, and/or other means capable of affixing the concave partstogether securely. In an example, the first conduit 27 a and/or thesecond conduit 27 b may be received in the hollow interior of thefixture 14. By locating the conduits 27 a-27 b within the hollowinterior of the fixture 14, the conduits 27 a-27 b may be protected fromdamage, such as from a user coming in direct contact with the conduits27 a-27 b (e.g., during use of the dispensing system 10, duringmaintenance of the dispenser system 10, etc.). In another embodiment,the fixture 14 may be generally solid with a fluid channel and/orconduit molded and/or machined directly within the fixture 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first conduit 27 a and/or the secondconduit 27 b may be configured to channel the fluid product from thedispensing system reservoir 60 to the nozzle 16 for dispersion to theuser. In another embodiment, the first conduit 27 a and/or the secondconduit 27 b may be configured to channel the fluid product from thenozzle 16 to the dispensing system reservoir 60 to refill the dispensingsystem reservoir 60 (e.g., a refill container may be connected to thenozzle 16 to provide additional fluid product to the dispensing systemreservoir 60 through the conduits). In an example, the first conduit 27a may be connected at a first end to the nozzle 16 and a second end offirst conduit 27 a may terminate at a manifold 50. The second conduit 27b may be connected to the manifold 50 and terminate at a refillconnection port 25 mounted onto the fixture 14. The manifold 50 maycomprise a selectively activated valve which may be utilized to switchbetween conduits 27 a-27 b in response to an action being performed(e.g., dispensing action, refill action, etc.). The manner by which thedispensing system 10 is replenished with the fluid product should not beconstrued as limiting. Other methods, such as for example replacing thedispensing system reservoir 60, may be employed without departing fromthe intended scope of the instant application.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the dispensing system 10 may comprise a thirdconduit 27 c. In an example, conduits 27 a and 27 b may be configured tochannel the fluid product to and/or from the dispensing system reservoir60 and the third conduit 27 c may be configured to carry a gas, such asair, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc. The dispensing system 10 may infusethe gas into the fluid product to produce a foam. In an example, soapmay be infused with air to create foam that may be dispensed from thenozzle 16 by the dispensing system 10. The air infused into the soap maybe obtained directly from the atmosphere and/or through a filter (notillustrated) to limit and/or mitigate the generation of bio-films withinthe dispensing system 10. In another embodiment, gases, such as carbondioxide, may be obtained from a refillable and/or disposable gascanister (not illustrated).

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the refill connection port 25 mayprovide a fluid and/or air tight inlet. In an example, the refillconnection port 25 may be configured to connect to a refill container31, illustrated in FIG. 3. Responsive to not being in use, the refillconnection port 25 may be closed off from exposure to the atmosphere. Inan example, the refill connection port 25 may comprise a quick connectfitting. In this way, the fluid product may be permitted to flow throughthe refill connection port 25 in response to a mating connector 37 fromthe refill container 31 being connected thereto. Likewise, the fluidproduct may be prohibited from flowing through the refill connectionport 25 in response to the mating connector 37 not being connectedthereto. In another example, a cap secured by threads (not illustrated)may be utilized to seal the refill connection port 25. Although, anyother type of refill connection port 25 may be used that inhibits and/orsubstantially mitigating fluid product from being exposed to theatmosphere.

In an example, the refill container 31 may store a predetermined amount(e.g., known amount) of fluid product in a refill storage area 32. Avolume of the refill storage area 32 may be substantially equivalent tothe storage capacity of the dispensing system reservoir 60. In this way,less fluid product may be left over and/or wasted when the refillcontainer 31 refills the dispensing system 10. However, other volumes ofrefill storage area 32 may be used without limiting the scope ofcoverage of the embodiments described herein.

In an example, the refill container 31, such as a refill bag, may beconstructed from pliable plastic material. In this way, as the fluidproduct flows from the refill container 31, walls of the refillcontainer 31 may collapse providing for effective disposal of the refillcontainer 31. In an example, the refill container 31 may comprise aconnection fitting 33. The connection fitting 33 may be affixed to anaperture formed in the refill container 31 via any process known in theart, as long as a substantially fluid tight seal is formed. In anexample, a first end of a hose 35 may be connected to the connectionfitting 33 and a second end of the hose 35 may be connected to themating connector 37. The hose 35 may be configured to establish fluidproduct flow between the refill container 31 and the refill connectionport 25 of the dispensing system 10. In an example, the connectionfitting 33 and/or the mating connector 37 may comprise quick connectfittings configured to efficiently mate with the refill connection port25 and/or the refill container 31. However, any type of fittings may beused as is necessary to provide a connection that mitigates or inhibitsthe fluid product from being exposed to air.

Referring back to FIG. 3, a validation key or tag may be implementedbetween the refill container 31 and the dispensing system 10 forvalidating the contents of the refill container 31. In an example, themating connector 37 may comprise an electronic key 40. The electronickey 40 may comprise an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. TheRFID tag may be passive and/or active. A corresponding interrogator 42may be mounted to the fixture 14 and positioned proximal to the refillconnection port 25. In an example, responsive to the mating connector 37being brought near and/or installed onto the refill connection port 25,the interrogator 42 may automatically “ping” (e.g., initiate a RFIDidentification protocol) the electronic key 40 to verify that thecorrect refill container 31 is being used. In response to an incorrectrefill container being connected to the dispensing system 10, a controlsystem may be configured to not initiate a refilling sequence. In anexample, depending on a range, i.e. strength, of the RFID signal, theinterrogator 42 may be mounted onto a circuit board located in thecontrol system and/or elsewhere in the dispensing system 10. Skilledartisans will appreciate that other forms of tagging, i.e. verification,may be used, like for example keyed mechanical fittings and/or opticalsensor systems. Still, any manner that inhibits the dispensing system 10from working with the improper refill container 31 may be utilized bythe dispensing system 10.

Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, the conduits 27 a-27 c may be connected to themanifold 50. The manifold 50 may function to direct the fluid product toand/or from the dispensing system reservoir 60. While the manifold 50 isschematically depicted as a block, any configuration and/or design ofthe manifold 50 may be chosen with sound engineering judgment. Forexample, the manifold 50 may incorporate one or more valves, such ascheck valves (not shown), to promote fluid product flow to the nozzle 16and/or from the refill connection port 25. Persons of skill in the artwill see other ways of constructing the manifold 50. In that the designand use of manifolds to direct fluid flow is known in the art, nofurther explanation will be offered at this point.

A pump 51 may be utilized to create and/or apply pressure within thedispensing system 10, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In an example, the pump51 may create positive pressure and/or negative pressure (vacuum) tomove the fluid product through at least one of the conduits 27 a-27 c.The pump 51 may comprise a gear pump, although other types of pumpingmechanisms including but not limited to piston pumps and/orreciprocating pumps may be employed by the dispensing system 10. In anexample, the pump 51 may be connected to the manifold 50 by conduits(not illustrated). In another example, the pump 51 may be incorporateddirectly into manifold block 50 a of the manifold 50. During adispensing event (e.g., dispensing of the fluid product in response tothe actuation of the pump 51), positive pressure may be generated toforce the fluid product through the first conduit 27 a to the nozzle 16.Similarly, gas used to create foam at the nozzle 16 may be drawndirectly by the pump 51 and/or indirectly via a venturi effect, forexample. During a refill event, negative vacuum pressure may be producedin the second conduit 27 b to draw the fluid product from the refillcontainer 31 into the dispensing system reservoir 60.

In an example, a motor 53 may drive the pump 51. The motor 53 may be adirect current (DC) motor and/or an alternating current (AC) motor(e.g., operated off of AC power). Responsive to AC power being availableon site (e.g., the location of the dispensing system 10) from afacility, an AC motor may be utilized by the dispensing system 10.Responsive to power not being available and/or readily accessible onsite, power may be provided by way of an onboard power source, such as abattery 54 and/or a photoelectric cell (e.g., solar power), notillustrated. In an example, the onboard power source may comprise of oneor more of D-cell batteries 54 a-54 d, illustrated by FIG. 5.

With continued reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the dispensing systemreservoir 60 may be mounted in operational proximity to the manifold 50.In an example, the operational proximity may be less than five feet. Thedispensing system reservoir 60 may be configured to provide remotestorage for the fluid product and may be refilled in a manner consistentwith that previously described. In an example, the dispensing systemreservoir 60 may be constructed from polymeric sheet-like material, suchas a reservoir bag. The sheet-like material may be generally pliableand/or transparent to allow users and/or service personnel to visuallysee into the dispensing system reservoir 60. In another example, thesheet-like material of the dispensing system reservoir 60 may comprisean opaque material. Responsive to the material forming the dispensingsystem reservoir 60 being pliable, the dispensing system reservoir 60may collapse as the fluid product is drained (e.g., dispensed) from thedispensing system reservoir 60. Accordingly, gas does not need to beintroduced into the dispensing system 10, and more specifically into thedispensing system reservoir 60, to displace the fluid product, therebymitigating and/or reducing the formation of bio-films.

In another example, the dispensing system reservoir 60 may comprise arigid and/or semi-rigid material. For example, the dispensing systemreservoir 60 may comprise a box and/or bottle. In an example, an airinlet may be incorporated in the dispensing system reservoir 60, one ormore of the conduits 27 a-27 c, and/or the manifold 50 to inhibit avacuum from forming in the dispensing system reservoir 60. The inlet,not shown, may allow air to displace the fluid product during thedispensing event. In an example, an air filter may be used to clean theair introduced into the dispensing system 10.

Still referencing FIGS. 4 and 5, a weighing system 65 may be providedfor determining the weight of the fluid product within the dispensingsystem reservoir 60 and/or a change in the weight of the fluid productwithin the dispensing system reservoir 60. By detecting the weightand/or the change in weight for the fluid product, a level and/or volumecorresponding to the fluid product may be determined (e.g., a real timeamount of a fluid product may be determined), which may be utilized toindicate a remaining service interval to the user (e.g., servicepersonnel). The service interval may indicate to the user when the fluidproduct of the dispensing system 10 needs to be replenished. In anexample, an indicator and/or an indicating system 78, illustrated inFIG. 6 and discussed below, may be connected to the weighing system 65(e.g., the indicating system 78 may be configured to indicate to theuser the level of fluid product currently in the dispensing systemreservoir 60 and/or indicate a time period when the dispensing systemreservoir 60 may need to be refilled).

In an example, the weighing system 65 may comprise a mounting block 66and/or a weight differentiating element 69 disposed between the mountingblock 66 and a stable surface, such as the ground. In an example, theweight differentiating element 69 may comprise a spring 70 positionedbetween the mounting block 66 and a mounting bracket 82 (e.g., a wallmounting bracket). The spring 70 may be designed to support the weightof the dispensing system reservoir 60 when filled with the fluidproduct. Stated otherwise, the spring 70 does not “bottom out” when thedispensing system reservoir 60 is filled to capacity. In this way, thespring 70 may store potential energy corresponding to the volume and/orlevel of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir 60, whichmay be displayed to the user. In an example, the mounting block 66 maybe movably connected with respect to the mounting bracket 82. Tofacilitate movement, the mounting block 66 may include a slide elementand/or roller elements (e.g., rails) that fit into one or more slots ofthe mounting bracket 82, for example.

With continued reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, and now also to FIG. 6, asmentioned above, the weighing system 65 may be connected to theindicating system 78 for the purpose of displaying the amount (e.g.,level, volume, weight, etc.) of the fluid product remaining in thedispensing system reservoir 60, for example. The weight differentiatingelement 69 may be connected to the indicating system 78 so that as theamount of fluid product decreases, such as with respective dispensingcycles, a signal is transmitted thereby indicating the fluid levelstatus. The signal may be analog in nature (e.g., the signal may beinfinitely positionable) and/or the signal may be digital in nature. Inan example, the signal may comprise a Bluetooth signal, a Wi-Fi signal,cellular signal, an RFID signal, and/or a combination thereof. Forexample, the indicating system 78 may comprise a Bluetooth transmitterand/or a Wi-Fi hub/gateway. The Bluetooth transmitter may be configuredto transmit a low power Bluetooth signal to the Wi-Fi hub/gateway, whichin turn may provide the fluid status level to the user through aninternet connection.

In an example, the weight differentiating element 69 may be connected toa mechanical push-pull cable 85. The mechanical push-pull cable 85, alsoreferred to herein as the cable assembly, may comprise an outer sheathand/or an internal flexible cable. In an example, the mechanicalpush-pull cable 85 may transmit compression and/or tension forces. Forexample, an outer sheath of the mechanical push-pull cable 85 may beaffixed to a grounded structure 80, such as mounting bracket 82, toindicate the fluid level, etc. based upon the compression and/or tensionforces. In a like manner, an internal cable may be affixed to themounting block 66. Since the mounting block 66 is movably connected tothe weight differentiating element 69, namely spring 70, changes in theweight of the dispensing system reservoir 60 may cause the weightdifferentiating element 69 to move the internal cable (e.g., withrespect to the outer sheath).

Still referring to FIG. 6, a distal end of the mechanical push-pullcable 85 may be connected to a display 90. In an example, the display 90may be connected to the fixture 14. In another example, the display 90may be remotely located away from the fixture 14, such as in a controlroom or on a wall proximate the fixture 14. The display 90 may comprisea visual indicator, such as a mechanical flag, a light, and/or anelectronic read out. In another example, the indicating system 78 maytransmit an audible indicator, a tactile indicator (e.g., a vibrationindication produced when the user comes into contact with part of thedispensing system 10, and/or a wireless communication indication (e.g.,a notification sent to a smartphone of the user in response to the userentering within a threshold distance, etc.)).

For illustrative purposes, the display 90 will be described as amechanical level indicator 91, which comprises a stationary housing 93and/or a reciprocating, or otherwise movable, flag 96. In oneembodiment, the stationary housing 93 is securely fastened to thefixture 14. The sheath of the cable assembly may be affixed to thestationary housing 93 and the mechanical push-pull cable 85 may beconnected to the flag 96. In this way, a change in the weight of thedispensing system reservoir 60 may push and/or pull on the mechanicalpush-pull cable 85. As such, the flag 96 may correspondingly move tovisually indicate the change in the amount of fluid product remaining inthe dispensing system reservoir 60. The position of the flag 96 may beviewed by user through a transparent cover incorporated into the fixture14, such as at the mounting site of the mechanical level indicator 91.In another example, the display 90 may comprise an electrical displaycomprising an electronic readout configured to visually indicate thelevel of the fluid product within the dispensing system reservoir 60(e.g., the level of the fluid product may be determined based uponweight differentiating element 69).

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, a connection fitting 100 may beincluded between an outlet of the dispensing system reservoir 60 and themanifold 50. The manifold 50 may be fixedly attached to the groundedstructure 80, which is to say that the manifold 50 remains stationaryand the dispensing system reservoir 60 is movable. The connectionfitting 100 may be designed to expand and/or contract to provide asubstantially fluid tight seal through the range of movement of thedispensing system reservoir 60. In an example, the connection fitting100 may be configured as a bellows having walls that fold together. Inanother example, a flexible tube may be circuitously routed andconnected between the reservoir outlet and the manifold 50.

The weight differentiating element 69 may comprise an electronic sensor,such as a tactile switch, an electroactive polymer switch, a straingauge, a force sensitive resistor, etc. In an example, the strain gaugemay be utilized to measure a change in electrical conductance based uponthe geometry of strain gauge conductors that make up the strain gauge.For example, when the strain gauge is stretched and/or compressed (e.g.,as result of a force being applied to the strain gauge), even in smallincrements, the electrical conductance of the strain gauge may change ina predictable manner. As such, a change in the electrical conductance ofthe strain gauge may be equated to a change in the force applied to thestrain gauge and/or a change the amount of the fluid product within thedispensing system reservoir 60. Accordingly, a strain gauge may be usedas a weight differentiating element 69 by providing strain gaugeconductors between the mounting block 66 and the mounting bracket 82.The strain gauge may be configured to replace the spring 70 byfunctioning to elastically expand (e.g., stretch) and/or contract (e.g.,compress) based upon changes in force and/or weight. In an example, thestrain gauge may be mounted on an underside of the mounting block 66and/or the mounting block 66 and/or mounting bracket 82 may be modifiedin any manner chosen to functionally receive the strain gauge fordetermining the weight of the fluid product in the dispensing systemreservoir 60. An output from the strain gauge may then be communicatedto the indicating system 78 for displaying the level of fluid productremaining in the dispensing system reservoir 60.

With reference to FIG. 5, dispensing system 10 may comprise a controlsystem 170, also referred to as a controller. The control system 170 maycomprise electronic circuitry 171 (e.g., a circuit board for controllingthe sequence of operation of the dispensing system 10, such as the pump,an actuator, the motor, etc.). The electronic circuitry 171 may resideon a printed circuit board and/or be received in a suitable enclosure(not illustrated). In an example, an electrical power supply, such asthe battery 54, may be provided to power the electronic circuitry 171.

In an example, the electronic circuitry 171 of the control system 170may comprise digital electronic circuitry 172 designed to receive andprocess data relating to an operation(s) of the dispensing system 10.For example, the digital electronic circuitry 172 may function toreceive input signals from the electronic key 40, electronic sensors,and/or onboard sensors 191. In another example, the digital electroniccircuitry 172 may function to receive input signals from electronicsensors (e.g., tactile switches, strain gauges, etc.). The electroniccircuitry 171 may utilize an analog-to-digital converter. The digitalelectronic circuitry 172 may comprise a programmable logic processor173, an electronic data storage object 185, and/or memory component 186.

In an example, the digital electronic circuitry 172 may function tooutput a control signal utilized to control an operation of thedispensing system 10, such as an operation of the motor 53. The controlsignal may comprise a low voltage DC signal and/or an AC signal.Whatever the configuration, persons of skill in the art will understandthe use and implementation of a wide array of circuitry as may bepreferred for controlling operation of the actuators of the dispensingsystem 10.

In one embodiment, onboard sensors 191 may be incorporated into thefixture 14. These onboard sensors 191 can be used to detect motion forhands-free activation of the dispensing system 10 and may comprise oneor more infrared (IR) emitters and/or detectors. The emitter-detectorpairs may be oriented in any manner to provide consistent activation ina particular region under the nozzle 16, for example.

Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8, a dispensing system 700 is provided. Ingeneral, the dispensing system 700 may be used for storing and/ordispensing a fluid product 704.

The dispensing system 700 may comprise a housing 702. The housing 702may comprise a wall-mount unit, a counter-mount unit, and/or afreestanding unit disposed on a countertop or the like. In an example,the housing 702 may be generally rectangular shaped. In another example,the housing 702 may comprise a counter mount dispensing system having afixture. The fixture may comprise a fixed stem (e.g., stationary). Thecounter mount dispensing system may comprise a below counter assembly.The below counter assembly may be free hanging relative to the stem. Thehousing 702 may include any number of materials, including metals,plastics, etc. The housing 702 may include a cover that may beoperatively opened and closed to gain accesses to inner components ofthe dispensing system 700, such as a dispensing system reservoir 706.

The dispensing system reservoir 706 may include any number of sizes,shapes, and structures. For example, the dispensing system reservoir 706may include at least one of bottles, vessels, pouches, bags, or thelike. Indeed, the dispensing system reservoir 706 illustrated in FIGS. 7and 8 comprises only one of any number of types of containers. Likewise,the dispensing system reservoir 706 may be larger or smaller thanillustrated.

The dispensing system reservoir 706 may hold a fluid product 704. Thefluid product 704 may comprise any type of liquid, semi-liquid, gel,powder, foam based materials, etc. The fluid product 704 may comprise,for example, cleaning materials such as sanitizing materials,antiseptics, soaps, moisturizers, hand sanitizers or the like. In otherexamples, the fluid product 704 may comprise water or other non-cleaningliquid materials. Indeed, the fluid product 704 is not specificallylimited to these examples, and could include any type of materials. Thedispensing system reservoir 706 may be configured to contain betweenabout 300 grams to about 2000 grams of the fluid product 704, but is notlimited to the same. In some embodiments, the dispensing systemreservoir 706 is a disposable refill container.

The dispensing system reservoir 706, within which the fluid product 704is contained and from which the fluid product 704 is dispensed, may besupported by the housing 702. In an example, the housing 702 may includea movable mount 708. The movable mount 708 may be configured to slide orpivot about an axis within the housing 702. In some embodiments, themovable mount 708 may move along a rail system, which may include rails710 a and 710 b. Indeed, the movable mount 708 may be sized/shaped toreceive the dispensing system reservoir 706 and, in particular, mayreceive an opening of the dispensing system reservoir 706. In onepossible example, the opening of the dispensing system reservoir 706 maybe configured such that the dispensing system reservoir 706 may beadapted to be operatively coupled to a pump 712.

The pump 712 may be interposed between the dispensing system reservoir706 and a nozzle 714. The pump 712 may function to selectively dispensea dispersion amount of the fluid product 704 from the dispensing systemreservoir 706 and out the nozzle 714. The pump 712 may be in fluidcommunication with the fluid product 704, such that, in response to aforce, the fluid product 704 may be dispensed from the dispensing systemreservoir 706. The pump 712 illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes onlyone of any number of pumps that could be utilized in the dispensingsystem 700.

An actuator 716 may be configured to control the pump 712. The actuator716 may include at least one of a touch free sensor, lever, solenoid,plunger, or the like. The actuator 716 may be configured so that whenengaged, the pump 712 dispenses a dispersion amount of the fluid product704 from the dispensing system reservoir 706. The actuator 716 may beconfigured to cause the pump 712 to dispense a predetermined dispersionamount of the fluid product 704 from the dispensing system reservoir706. The predetermined dispersion amount may be between about 0.1 toabout 3.0 milliliters, but is not limited to the same.

The actuator 716 may also control a motor 718 configured to drive thepump 712. The actuator 716 may be energized upon the detection of anobject, such as a user's hands, positioned beneath the nozzle 714.Alternatively, the actuator 716 may be engaged manually by an object,such as the user's hands, compressing the actuator 716.

A controller 724 may be coupled to at least one of the pump 712, theactuator 716, or the motor 718. The controller 724 may also be coupledto at least one of a timer or a stroke counter (not illustrated). Thecontroller 724 may be configured to receive information from at leastone of the pump 712, the actuator 716, the motor 718, the timer, or thestroke counter. For example, the controller 724 may use the informationreceived to determine an estimated average usage rate for the dispensingsystem 700 by monitoring the number of dispersion by the stroke counterover a period of time measured by the timer.

An indicator 726 may also be coupled to the controller 724. Theindicator 726 may be configured to provide an indication of a conditionof the dispensing system 700. For example, the indicator 726 maycommunicate at least one of a real time amount of the fluid product 704in the dispensing system reservoir 706 (e.g. fill level) or a remainingservice interval for the dispensing system reservoir 706 to the user.The indicator 726 may include at least one of an audio indicator, suchas beep, or a visual indicator, such as a light. The indicator 726 mayalso include and/or be coupled to a transceiver 728 coupled to thecontroller 724 and configured to communicate over a network 900, asillustrated in FIG. 9. The transceiver 728 may be configured towirelessly transmit to a user 730 an indication of a real time amount ofthe fluid product 704 in the dispensing system reservoir 706 via acomputer 732. By way of example, in some embodiments, the computer 732may be configured to receive information from the dispensing system 700via the transceiver 728 and to issue instruction to the user 730indicative of the information received (e.g. when the dispensing systemreservoir 706 needs to be replaced).

A first electronic sensor 720 may also be coupled to the controller 724.The first electronic sensor 720 may be movably supported by the housing702. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first electronic sensor 720may positioned between a housing member 722 and the movable mount 708.In another embodiment, the first electronic sensor 720 may be mountedbetween the fixed stem of the fixture of a counter mount dispensingsystem and the below counter assembly (not illustrated). In this way,the weight of the below counter mount assembly may be transferred to thefirst electronic sensor 720. In an example, the first electronic sensormay comprise a force sensitive resistor configured to measure the weightof the fluid product 704 within the dispensing system reservoir 706housed by the below counter mount assembly (e.g., such as by convertinga compressive force to a voltage/resistance change). The firstelectronic sensor 720 may be configured to determine a real time amountof the fluid product 704 in the dispensing system reservoir 706. Forexample, the first electronic sensor 720 may be configured to detect afirst change from a first amount of the fluid product 704 in thedispensing system reservoir 706 to a second amount of the fluid product704 in the dispensing system reservoir 706 based upon the force beingapplied to the first electronic sensor 720 from the weight of the fluidproduct 704 in the dispensing system reservoir 706. The first electronicsensor 720 may comprise a switch movable between a first switch position(illustrated in FIG. 7), in which the switch is compressed when thedispensing system reservoir 706 contains the first amount of the fluidproduct 704 having a first weight, and a second switch position(illustrated in FIG. 8) in which the switch is uncompressed when thedispensing system reservoir 706 contains the second amount of the fluidproduct 704 having a second weight. The weight at which the switchtransitions from being compressed to uncompressed indicates a thresholdweight for the switch. A weight less than the threshold weight mayindicate that a volume of the fluid product 704 present in thedispensing system reservoir 706 is below a threshold volume (e.g., andthus the dispensing system reservoir 706 may require to berefilled/replaced).

Turing now to FIG. 10, a cross sectional view of an example ofelectronic sensor 1020 for use with a dispensing system 1001 isillustrated. The electronic sensor 1020 may comprise a base 1002, arecess 1004, a fixed contact 1006, and/or a conductive member 1008. Thebase 1002 may be substantially rectangular shaped with the recess 1004formed therein. The fixed contact 1006, such as an electrode, may beplaced on a bottom surface of the recess 1004. The conductive member1008, such as a click spring, may also be positioned in the recess 1004.The conductive member 1008 may be configured to oppose the fixed contact1006 by protruding away from the base 1002. In an example, theconductive member 1008 may be substantially dome shaped having a firstend 1014 contacting a peripheral contact 1011 a and a second end 1016contacting a second peripheral contact 1011 b. A cover 1010 may beplaced over the recess 1004 and/or the conductive member 1008. In anexample, the cover 1010 may comprise elastic and be configured to deforminward (compress) upon a weight greater than a threshold weight of theelectronic sensor 1020 being applied thereupon. In this example, thecover 1010 may include an engagement member 1012 configured to contact asurface, such as that of a movable mount (such as illustrated in FIGS. 7and 8). Alternatively, the cover 1010 may be ridged and the engagementmember 1012 may be configured to slide through an opening (notillustrated) in the cover 1010 to contact the conductive member 1008. Inanother example, the electronic sensor 1020 may comprise anelectroactive polymer (EAP) fluid product and/or a force sensitiveresistor (e.g., a resistor which converts compressive force to avoltage/resistance change), which may be utilized to determine theweight of fluid product presently in a dispensing system reservoirwithin the dispensing system 1001. In some embodiments, based upon theweight and density of the fluid product, a volume of fluid productwithin the dispensing system 1001 may be determined. In someembodiments, as will be described in more detail below, a more binaryapproach is taken, where a determination is made whether the weight ofthe fluid product presently in the dispensing system reservoir exceedsor does not exceed the threshold weight. When the weight of the fluidproduct is less than threshold weight, the dispensing system reservoir706 may require maintenance (e.g., a refill of fluid). When the weightof the fluid product is equal to or greater than the threshold weight,the dispensing system reservoir 706 may not require maintenance (e.g.,or may not require a refill of fluid).

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate examples of an electronic sensor 1120 invarious positions and/or states in response to a weight 1118 beingapplied thereto. FIG. 11A illustrates an example 1100 a wherein theelectronic sensor 1120 comprises a switch that is in an OFF state. In anexample, responsive to a weight 1118 not meeting the threshold weightfor the switch, the conductive member 1108 may be separated from thefixed contact 1106. Thus, the fixed contact 1106 is not electricallyconnected to the peripheral contacts 1111 a-1111 b and the switch is inthe OFF state.

FIG. 11B illustrates an example 1100 b where the threshold weight turnsthe switch from an OFF state to an ON state. In an example, responsiveto the weight 1118 being equal to and/or exceeding the threshold weightfor the switch, the conductive member 1108 may collapse downward, sothat the conductive member 1108 comes into contact with the fixedcontact 1106. The fixed contact 1206 may become electrically connectedto the peripheral contacts 1111 a-1111 b and the switch may transitioninto an ON state.

The electronic sensor 1120 may be configured such that the thresholdweight corresponds to a particular level of the dispensing systemreservoir. For example, the electronic sensor 1120 may be configured tohave the threshold weight that corresponds to the dispensing systemreservoir being filled with a set percentage, such as 5, 10, 20, 30, 50percent, of the fluid product. By way of another example, if thedispensing system reservoir is configured to hold 1200 g of the fluidproduct, the electronic sensor 1120 may be configured to have, interalia, a threshold weight of 600 g. Thus, when the dispensing systemreservoir contains 600 g or more of the fluid product 104 (e.g. morethan 50% full), the electronic sensor 1120 will be compressed and in theON state. On the other hand, when the dispensing system reservoircontains less than 600 g of the fluid product the electronic sensor 1120may become decompressed and shift to the OFF state. A controller (notillustrated) may be configured to detect the electronic sensor 1120transitioning from the ON state to the OFF state and may communicate thereal time amount of fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir toan indicator (not illustrated). In other examples, the threshold weightof the electronic sensor 1120 may be between about 25 grams to about1000 grams, but is not limited to the same.

In yet another example, the electronic sensor 1120 may comprise a dualstage switch configured to detect a second change from the first amountto a third amount of the fluid product. The electronic sensor 1120 maysend a first signal to the controller in response to a first thresholdweight being reached and a second signal to the controller in responseto a second threshold weight being reached. Thus, as fluid product isdispensed from dispensing system reservoir, the electronic sensor 1120may communicate a first real time amount and a second real time amountof fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir to the controller.In another example, two dual stage switches may be used to give anindication of four different real time amounts of the fluid productwithin the dispensing system reservoir. Indeed, the electronic sensor1120 illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11B comprises only one of any number ofelectronic sensors that could be employed to detect the change in theamount of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir.

FIGS. 12A-12F, illustrate examples of dispensing system 1201 comprisinga plurality of electronic sensor. FIG. 12A illustrates an example 1200 aof the dispensing system 1201 comprising a first electronic sensor 1202and a second electronic sensor 1204. The first electronic sensor 1202and the second electronic sensor 1204 may be utilized to produce anindication of at least two different real time amounts of fluid productwithin a dispensing system reservoir. In an example, the firstelectronic sensor 1202 may have a first threshold weight and the secondelectronic sensor 1204 may have a second threshold weight. Thus, thefirst electronic sensor 1202 may be configured to detect a first change,such as from a first amount of fluid product to a second amount of fluidproduct, and the second electronic sensor 1204 may be configured todetect a second change, such as from the first amount of the fluidproduct to a third amount of the fluid product. By way of example, thefirst electronic sensor 1202 may be configured to indicate when thedispensing system reservoir contains 500 g of fluid product and thesecond electronic sensor 1204 may be configured to indicate when thedispensing system reservoir contains 100 grams of fluid product. Inanother example, an adjustment factor may be utilized to account forvarious position of electronic sensors relative to the dispensing systemreservoir, housing member 1222, and/or controller 1224, illustrated inFIG. 12B.

In an example, the first electronic sensor 1202 and the secondelectronic sensor 1204 may be fixed on the housing member 1222. Thefirst electronic sensor 1202 may be spaced apart from the secondelectronic sensor 1204 so as to distribute/balance weight of the fluidproduct contained within a dispensing system reservoir (notillustrated). In another example, the first electronic sensor 1202 andthe second electronic sensor 1204 may be spaced close together to allowfor convenient placement of other components of the dispensing system1201, such as a pump (not illustrated) and/or a controller. In anexample, a movable mount 1208 may be configured to move along a railsystem, which may include rail 1210 a and/or rail 1210 b. The movablemount 1208 may move along rails 1210 a-1210 b until the movable mount1208 contacts the first electronic sensor 1202 and/or the secondelectronic sensor 1204. In another embodiment, the dispensing systemreservoir may directly contact at least one of the first electronicsensor 1202 and/or the second electronic sensor 1204.

FIG. 12B illustrates an example 1200 b, wherein the first electronicsensor 1202 and the second electronic sensor 1204 may be fixed onopposing sides of a controller 1224. The controller 124 may comprise amounting plate, a circuit board, or the like. In this example, themovable mount 1208 may contact the first electronic sensor 1202 and thesecond electronic sensor 1204 may contact the housing member 1222. FIG.12C illustrates an example 1200 c, wherein the first electronic sensor1202 and/or the second electronic sensor 1204 may be contacted by thecontroller (not illustrated) and/or the movable mount 1208. In thisexample, at least one of the movable mount 1208 or the controller 1224may be configured to pivot about an axis and/or pivot point 1262. Thepivot point 1262 for the movable mount 1208 and/or the controller 1224may be attached to the housing 1228. Indeed, examples 1200 a-1200 c arenot specifically limited to these layouts, and could include any numberof other layouts.

FIG. 12D illustrates an example 1200 d, wherein the first electronicsensor 1202 and/or the second electronic sensor 1204 of the dispensingsystem 1201 may comprise an electroactive polymer (EAP) fluid product.The first electronic sensor 1202 and/or the second electronic sensor1204 may comprise membrane 1232 a and/or membrane 1232 b. In an example,at least one of the membranes 1232 a-1232 b may be constructed from aflexible polymeric fluid product (e.g., a flexible EAP fluid product).The flexible polymeric fluid product may have a memory characteristicand/or a predetermined stiffness. In an example, membranes 1232 a-1232 bmay become displaced in response to a force (e.g., a load provided inresponse to a dispensing system reservoir being placed within thedispensing system 1201) being applied thereto. For example, membranes1232 a-1232 b may be fixed to the housing member 1222 and configured tobecome displaced when a stress is applied thereto (e.g., the membranes1232 a-1232 b may be configured by selecting a flexible polymeric fluidproduct having a predetermined stiffness which is less than a loadapplied to the membranes 1232 a-1232 b). The stress may be applied bythe movable mount 1208 and/or the controller 1224 (not illustrated)contacting at least one of the membranes 1232 a-1232 b in response tothe dispensing system reservoir being placed thereon.

The membranes 1232 a-1232 b may comprise at least one of electricallyconductive layers 1234 a-1234 d and/or dielectric layers 1236 a-1236 b.Electrically conducive layers 1234 a-1234 d may comprise an EAP fluidproduct, such as an EAP fluid product comprising carbon, silicone,acrylic, and/or a dielectric elastomer. In an example, electricallyconductive layers 1234 a-1234 d is separated from different one of theelectrically conductive layers 1234 a-1234 d by at least one ofdielectric layers 1236 a-1236 b. Responsive to a voltage being appliedto electrically conductive layers 1234 a-1234 d, the neighboringdielectric layers 1236 a-1236 b and the electrically conductive layers1234 a-234 d may form a capacitor that varies in capacitance based on astress (e.g. compression and/or stretching of the EAP fluid product)applied thereto. In an example, the electrically conductive layers 1234a-1234 d may be configured to generate an output signal corresponding toan amount of stress imparted on said layer. For example, dielectriclayers 1236 a-1236 b may be configured to change thickness and/orsurface area based on the amount of stress applied to dielectric layers1236 a-1236 b, which in turn changes the output signal (e.g.capacitance) of the capacitor formed from the electrically conductivelayers 1234 a-1234 d and the dielectric layers 1236 a-1236 b. Thecapacitance may be measured using an analog to digital converter and/orby measuring an amount of time the electrically conductive layers 1234a-1234 d take to reach a given voltage level at a known charge rate.

Membranes 1232 a-1232 b may be configured such that a given capacitancecorresponds to one or more predetermined fill levels of the dispensingsystem reservoir. In an example, membrane 1232 a may be configured togive an indication of a first real time amount of the fluid product inthe dispensing system reservoir and membrane 1232 b may be configured togive a second indication of a second real time amounts of the fluidproduct within the dispensing system reservoir. Membrane 1232 a may beconfigured to output a first signal in response to reaching a firstcapacitance and membrane 1232 b be configured to output a second signalin response to reaching a second capacitance. Thus, the membrane 1232 amay be configured to detect a first change from the first amount offluid product to the second amount of the fluid product and membrane1232 b may be configured to detect a second change from the first amountof the fluid product to a third amount of the fluid product.

In an example, an EAP switch may be calibrated such that a capacitanceof the switch and/or output by the switch is indicative of a certaincompressive force upon the switch. The compressive force may becorrelated to an amount of fluid product in the dispensing systemreservoir (e.g., based upon the weight, density, etc. of the fluidproduct). The amount of fluid product remaining in the dispensing systemreservoir may thus be determined at any time and/or in real time basedupon the capacitance of the switch and/or changes thereof (e.g., giventhat the amount of fluid product/weight of the fluid product will causea change in the capacitance of the switch).

FIG. 12E illustrates an example 1200 e of the dispensing system 1201comprising the first electronic sensor 1202, the second electronicsensor 1204, a third electronic sensor 1242, and/or a fourth electronicsensor 1244. The electronic sensors 1202, 1204, 1242, and/or 1244 may befixed to the controller 1224 (e.g., a circuit board). In an example, thefirst electronic sensor 1202 and the third electronic sensor 1242 may befixed to a first side 1248 of the controller 1224 and the secondelectronic sensor 1204 and the fourth electronic sensor 1244 may befixed to a second side 1249 of the controller 1224. A second controller1246 (e.g., a second circuit board) may be positioned parallel to thecontroller 1224. The second controller 1246 may be configured to contactthe first electronic sensor 1202 and the third electronic sensor 1242.In an example, the second controller 1246 may support the dispensingsystem reservoir (not illustrated). The first electronic sensor 1202 andthe third electronic sensor 1242 may have a first threshold amount(e.g., weight, capacitance, etc.) configured to indicate a first realtime amount of fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir, and thesecond electronic sensor 1204 and the fourth electronic sensor 1244 mayhave a second threshold amount configured to indicate a second real timeamount of fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir. In anexample, at least one of the examples 1200 a-1200 e of dispensing system1201 may be utilized to determine a remaining service interval for thedispensing system reservoir (not illustrated) within the dispensingsystem 1201. The utilization of the electronic sensors 1202, 1204, 1242,and/or 1244 of examples 600 a-600 e may improve the accuracy and/orefficiency of determining the service interval for a dispensing systemby accounting for discrepancies in an output volume from a dispensingsystem, such as those which result from clogged and/or damaged pumps.

Turning now to FIG. 13, an example method 1300 for determining aremaining service interval of a dispensing system reservoir isillustrated. The method 1300 may be used in association with some or allof the features illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 12F. At 1302, method 1300starts. At 1304, an average usage rate may be determined for adispensing system. In some embodiments, the average usage rate may bedetermined by monitoring (e.g., identifying) a number of dispersionsfrom the dispensing system over a period of time (e.g., number ofdispersions per minute, per hour, per day, per week, etc.). Because thedispersions from the dispensing system may have a predetermineddispersion amount, a rate (e.g., average usage rate) for a dispensingsystem in a specific location, such as an airport, a rural gas station,and/or a hospital, may be calculated. At 1306, a real time amount offluid product in the dispensing system reservoir may be detected. Anelectronic sensor, such as a switch (e.g., tactile switches,electroactive polymer switches, etc.), a strain gauge, a force sensitiveresistor, etc. may be utilized to determine the real time amount offluid product in the dispensing system reservoir. In an example, theelectronic sensor may detect a change from a first amount of fluidproduct to a second amount of fluid product in the dispensing systemreservoir. For example, a tactile switch having a first threshold weightmay be utilized to detect the change from the first amount to the secondamount of fluid product. In some embodiments, when the threshold weightof the first switch is reached, a first signal is sent to a controllerto indicate a real time weight of the fluid product in the dispensingsystem reservoir. At 1308, the remaining service interval may bedetermined for the dispensing system reservoir. In an example, theremaining service interval may be calculated based upon the real timeamount of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir and/orthe average usage rate for the dispensing system. At 1310, a user may benotified of the remaining service interval. For example, the user may benotified of a point in time (e.g., a day, a time of day, a range oftime, etc.) when the dispensing system reservoir is predicted to needservice (e.g., when the dispensing system reservoir will be empty or islikely to be empty). The user may be notified by an indication system ofthe dispensing system. In an example, the indication system and/or thedispensing system may send the user a notification (e.g., email, text,push notification, etc.) through a wireless connection (e.g., a Wi-Ficonnection, a cellular connection, etc.). The notification may indicatea refill time range (e.g., a day, a week, a month, etc., when thedispensing system reservoir may need to be refilled and/or replaced). Inanother example, the indication system may display a visual indicator,such as a mechanical flag, a light, an electronic read out, etc., onand/or near the dispensing system (e.g., a digital display associatedwith the dispensing system may be utilized to indicate that thedispensing system reservoir will need to be replaced in 3 days). Method1300 may provide users with an accurate and/or efficient means ofdetermine a remaining service interval for various dispensing systemreservoirs in various locations. In turn, time, material, money, etc.wasted by users prematurely replacing and/or monitoring dispensingsystem reservoirs which do not need service may be reduced and/or thelikelihood of a dispensing system being out of service, as a result ofbeing empty, may be reduced by the present disclosure. At 1312, themethod 1300 ends.

Turning now to FIG. 14, an example method 1400 for calibrating adispensing system and determining the remaining service interval for adispensing system reservoir is illustrated. The method 1400 may be usedin association with some and/or all of the features illustrated in FIGS.1 to 13. At 1402, the method 1400 starts. At 1404, a first real timeamount of fluid product (e.g., soap, lotion, etc.) in the dispensingsystem reservoir may be detected. In an example, the first real timeamount of the fluid product may be detected at a first time. At 1406, asecond real time amount of the fluid product in the dispensing systemreservoir may be detected. In an example, the second real time amount ofthe fluid product may be detected at a second time. At 1408, an averageusage rate may be determined over a first period of time. The firstperiod of time may begin when the first real time amount of the fluidproduct was detected and may end when the second real time amount of thefluid product was detected. At 1410, a corrected average usage rate maybe determined. In some embodiments, the corrected average usage rateaccounts for the difference between the first real time amount and thesecond real time amount (e.g. total amount disbursed between the firsttime and the second time) and a calculated disbursement amount (e.g.,the amount that should have been disbursed from the dispensing systembased upon a predetermined disbursement amount and a number ofdisbursements between the detection of the first real time amount andthe second real time amount). At 1412, a remaining service interval forthe dispensing system reservoir may be determined utilizing thecorrected average usage rate. In some embodiments, a third real timeamount of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir may bedetermined to calculate the remaining service interval. At 1414, a user(e.g., service personal) may be notified of the remaining serviceinterval. In an example, the remaining service interval may be providedas a range of time when the dispensing system reservoir may become emptyand/or a range of time when the user should service the dispensingsystem to avoid the dispensing system reservoir running out of fluidproduct. At 1416, the method 1400 ends.

Still another embodiment involves a computer-readable medium comprisingprocessor-executable instructions configured to implement one or more ofthe techniques presented herein. An example embodiment of acomputer-readable medium or a computer-readable device is illustrated inFIG. 15, wherein the implementation 1500 comprises a computer-readablemedium 1508, such as a CD-R, DVD-R, flash drive, a platter of a harddisk drive, etc., on which is encoded computer-readable data 1506. Thiscomputer-readable data 1506, such as binary data comprising at least oneof a zero or a one, in turn comprises a set of computer instructions1504 configured to operate according to one or more of the principlesset forth herein. In some embodiments, the processor-executable computerinstructions 1504 are configured to perform a method 1502, such as atleast some of the example method 1300 of FIG. 13 and/or at least some ofthe example method 1400 of FIG. 14, for example. In some embodiments,the processor-executable instructions 1504 are configured to implement asystem, such as at least some of the dispensing system 10 of FIGS. 1-6,at least some of the exemplary dispensing system 700 of FIGS. 7-9, atleast some of dispensing system 1001 of FIG. 10, and/or at least some ofdispensing system 1201 of FIG. 12A-12E, for example. Many suchcomputer-readable media are devised by those of ordinary skill in theart that are configured to operate in accordance with the techniquespresented herein.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing at least some of the claims.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “module,” “system”,“interface”, and/or the like are generally intended to refer to acomputer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. For example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program,and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application runningon a controller and the controller may be a component. One or morecomponents may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and acomponent may be localized on one computer and/or distributed betweentwo or more computers.

Furthermore, the claimed subject matter may be implemented as a method,apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, carrier, or media. Of course, manymodifications may be made to this configuration without departing fromthe scope or spirit of the claimed subject matter.

FIG. 16 and the following discussion provide a brief, generaldescription of a suitable computing environment to implement embodimentsof one or more of the provisions set forth herein. The operatingenvironment of FIG. 16 is only one example of a suitable operatingenvironment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of the operating environment. Examplecomputing devices include, but are not limited to, personal computers,server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, mobile devices (such asmobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), media players, andthe like), multiprocessor systems, consumer electronics, mini computers,mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include anyof the above systems or devices, and the like.

Although not required, embodiments are described in the general contextof “computer readable instructions” being executed by one or morecomputing devices. Computer readable instructions may be distributed viacomputer readable media (discussed below). Computer readableinstructions may be implemented as program modules, such as functions,objects, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), data structures, andthe like, that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstractdata types. Typically, the functionality of the computer readableinstructions may be combined or distributed as desired in variousenvironments.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a system 1600 comprising a computingdevice 1612 configured to implement one or more embodiments providedherein. In one configuration, computing device 1612 includes at leastone processing unit 1616 and memory 1618. Depending on the exactconfiguration and type of computing device, memory 1618 may be volatile(such as RAM, for example), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory,etc., for example), or some combination of the two. This configurationis illustrated in FIG. 16 by dashed line 1614.

In other embodiments, computing device 1612 may include additionalfeatures and/or functionality. For example, computing device 1612 mayalso include additional storage (e.g., removable and/or non-removable)including, but not limited to, magnetic storage, optical storage, andthe like. Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 16 by storage1620. In one embodiment, computer readable instructions to implement oneor more embodiments provided herein may be in storage 1620. Storage 1620may also store other computer readable instructions to implement anoperating system, an application program, and the like. Computerreadable instructions may be loaded in memory 1618 for execution byprocessing unit 1616, for example.

The term “computer readable media” as used herein includes computerstorage media. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions or other data. Memory 1618 and storage 1620 are examples ofcomputer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is notlimited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology,CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs) or other optical storage,magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium which may be used to storethe desired information and which may be accessed by computing device1612. Any such computer storage media may be part of computing device1612.

Device 1612 may also include communication connection(s) 1626 thatallows computing device 1612 to communicate with other devices.Communication connection(s) 1626 may include, but is not limited to, amodem, a Network Interface Card (NIC), an integrated network interface,a radio frequency transmitter/receiver, an infrared port, a USBconnection, or other interfaces for connecting computing device 1612 toother computing devices. Communication connection(s) 1626 may include awired connection or a wireless connection. Communication connection(s)1626 may transmit and/or receive communication media.

The term “computer readable media” may include communication media.Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions orother data in a “modulated data signal” such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. Theterm “modulated data signal” may include a signal that has one or moreof its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal.

Computing device 1612 may include input device(s) 1624 such as keyboard,mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, infrared cameras,video input devices, and/or any other input device. Output device(s)1622 such as one or more displays, speakers, printers, and/or any otheroutput device may also be included in computing device 1612. Inputdevice(s) 1624 and output device(s) 1622 may be connected to computingdevice 1612 via a wired connection, wireless connection, or anycombination thereof. In one embodiment, an input device or an outputdevice from another computing device may be used as input device(s) 1624or output device(s) 1622 for computing device 1612.

Components of computing device 1612 may be connected by variousinterconnects, such as a bus. Such interconnects may include aPeripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), such as PCI Express, aUniversal Serial Bus (USB), firewire (IEEE 1394), an optical busstructure, and the like. In another embodiment, components of computingdevice 1612 may be interconnected by a network. For example, memory 1618may be comprised of multiple physical memory units located in differentphysical locations interconnected by a network.

Those skilled in the art will realize that storage devices utilized tostore computer readable instructions may be distributed across anetwork. For example, a computing device 1630 accessible via a network1628 may store computer readable instructions to implement one or moreembodiments provided herein. Computing device 1612 may access computingdevice 1630 and download a part or all of the computer readableinstructions for execution. Alternatively, computing device 1612 maydownload pieces of the computer readable instructions, as needed, orsome instructions may be executed at computing device 1612 and some atcomputing device 1630.

Various operations of embodiments are provided herein. In oneembodiment, one or more of the operations described may constitutecomputer readable instructions stored on one or more computer readablemedia, which if executed by a computing device, will cause the computingdevice to perform the operations described. The order in which some orall of the operations are described should not be construed as to implythat these operations are necessarily order dependent. Alternativeordering will be appreciated by one skilled in the art having thebenefit of this description. Further, it will be understood that not alloperations are necessarily present in each embodiment provided herein.Also, it will be understood that not all operations are necessary insome embodiments.

Further, unless specified otherwise, “first,” “second,” and/or the likeare not intended to imply a temporal aspect, a spatial aspect, anordering, etc. Rather, such terms are merely used as identifiers, names,etc. for features, elements, items, etc. For example, a first object anda second object generally correspond to object A and object B or twodifferent or two identical objects or the same object.

Moreover, “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example,instance, illustration, etc., and not necessarily as advantageous. Asused herein, “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than anexclusive “or”. In addition, “a” and “an” as used in this applicationare generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specifiedotherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Also,at least one of A and B and/or the like generally means A or B or both Aand B. Furthermore, to the extent that “includes”, “having”, “has”,“with”, and/or variants thereof are used in either the detaileddescription or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprising”.

Also, although the disclosure has been shown and described with respectto one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modificationswill occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading andunderstanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. Thedisclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and islimited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regardto the various functions performed by the above described components(e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though notstructurally equivalent to the disclosed structure. In addition, while aparticular feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed withrespect to only one of several implementations, such feature may becombined with one or more other features of the other implementations asmay be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of determining a remaining serviceinterval of a dispensing system reservoir, comprising: determining anaverage usage rate for a dispensing system by monitoring a number ofdispersions over a period of time; detecting a real time amount of fluidproduct in the dispensing system reservoir by detecting a first changefrom a first amount of fluid product in the dispensing system reservoirto a second amount of the fluid product in the dispensing systemreservoir; and determining the remaining service interval of thedispensing system reservoir based upon the average usage rate and thereal time amount of the fluid product in the dispensing systemreservoir.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining an averageusage rate comprises: determining a corrected average usage rate.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, comprising: communicating the remaining serviceinterval via an indicator of the dispensing system.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the indicator comprises an audio indicator and thecommunicating the remaining service interval via an indicator comprises:communicating the remaining service interval as an audio indication viathe audio indicator.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the indicatorcomprises an visual indicator and the communicating the remainingservice interval via an indicator comprises: communicating the remainingservice interval as a visual indication via the visual indicator.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the communicating the remaining serviceinterval as a visual indication comprises displaying at least one of amechanical flag, a light or an electronic read out.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, comprising: communicating, via a transceiver of the dispensingsystem, the remaining service interval to a computer.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the communicating the remaining service interval to acomputer comprises transmitting at least one of an email comprising theremaining service interval, a text message comprising the remainingservice interval or a push notification comprising the remaining serviceinterval via the transceiver.
 9. A dispensing system comprising: a firstelectronic sensor configured to detect a first change from a firstamount of a fluid product in a dispensing system reservoir to a secondamount of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir, thedispensing system reservoir disposed in the dispensing system; acontroller coupled to the first electronic sensor and configured toreceive a first signal from the first electronic sensor indicative ofthe first change; an actuator coupled to the controller; and a pumpcoupled to the controller and adapted to be operatively coupled to thedispensing system reservoir, the actuator configured so that whenengaged, the pump dispenses a dispersion amount of the fluid productfrom the dispensing system reservoir, wherein the first change isattributable to one or more dispersion amounts being dispensed from thedispensing system reservoir.
 10. The dispensing system of claim 9,comprising: a motor controlled by the actuator and configured to drivethe pump to dispense the dispersion amount of the fluid product.
 11. Thedispensing system of claim 9, comprising: an indicator coupled to thecontroller and configured to provide an indication of a real time amountof fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir based upon the firstchange.
 12. The dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the indicatorcomprises: at least one of an audio indicator or a visual indicator. 13.The dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the indicator comprises: atransceiver coupled to the controller, the transceiver configured towirelessly provide the indication.
 14. The dispensing system of claim 9,wherein the first electronic sensor comprises: a fixed contact; and aconductive member opposing the fixed contact and configured to becompressed by a threshold weight thereby bringing the conductive memberinto contact with the fixed contact.
 15. The dispensing system of claim9, wherein the first electronic sensor comprises: a mechanical flagconfigured to provide an indication of a real time amount of fluidproduct in the dispensing system reservoir based upon the first change.16. The dispensing system of claim 9, comprising a counter mountdispensing system, wherein the first electronic sensor comprises: aforce sensitive resistor, the first electronic sensor mounted between afixed stem and a below counter assembly of the counter mount dispensingsystem.
 17. A dispensing system comprising: a first electronic sensorconfigured to detect a first change from a first amount of fluid productin a dispensing system reservoir to a second amount of the fluid productin the dispensing system reservoir, the dispensing system reservoirdisposed in the dispensing system; a second electronic sensor configuredto detect a second change from the first amount of the fluid product toa third amount of the fluid product; a controller coupled to the firstelectronic sensor and the second electronic sensor and configured toreceive at least one of a first signal from the first electronic sensorindicative of the first change or a second signal from the secondelectronic sensor indicative of the second change; and an indicatorcoupled to the controller and configured to provide an indication of areal time amount of fluid product in the dispensing system reservoirbased upon at least one of the first change or the second change. 18.The dispensing system of claim 17, wherein the indicator comprises: atransceiver coupled to the controller, the transceiver configured towirelessly provide the indication.
 19. The dispensing system of claim17, wherein at least one of the first electronic sensor or the secondelectronic sensor comprises: a fixed contact; and a conductive memberopposing the fixed contact, and configured to be compressed by athreshold weight thereby bringing the conductive member into contactwith the fixed contact.